KATHMANDU: The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has drawn serious attention to a decision taken by the management of Bottlers Nepal Limited, Coca-Cola Nepal, against Editor-in-Chief of Lumbinisanchar.com Gajendra Budhathoki, who is also FNJ member.

Issuing a press statement Saturday, FNJ said the management of Bottlers Nepal threatened trade union representatives and instructed trade union officials to straighten things out with Budhathoki after he published a piece of follow-up news related to 73 percent shares of Bottlers Nepal being traded abroad without the knowledge of Nepali authorities last year. The follow-up news report was based on the investigation carried out by Revenue Investigation Department.

Moreover, journalist Budathoki informed the federation that he was receiving threat calls from an unknown number and believes there is a threat to his life.

The FNJ noted that the security of journalists had worsened and challenged due to the decision of the management of Bottlers Nepal. It stated that Bottlers Nepal’s acts were unconstitutional and interfered with the freedom of press and expression. There are legal mechanisms to lodge protest against Budhathoki’s report if one is not satisfied with his work, FNJ stated.

The FNJ is of the view that authorities concerned ought to investigate the incident and take legal action against the management of Bottlers Nepal for making journalists insecure.